Invalid bed



June 1958 R. A. WRIGHT ETAL- 27, ,8

INVALID BED Fi led June 28, 1955 INVEN MR5. r7? 2 /2. 344 7727773072 #E-21m mum United States Patent INVALID BED Richard A. Wright, Detroit, andRobert H. Williamson, Highland Park, Mich.

Application June 28, 1955, Serial No. 518,512

3 Claims. (Cl. -68) This invention relates to invalid beds andparticularly to the actuating mechanism for controlling raising andlowering movement of a pivoted section such as the pivoted head sectionof a sectionalized, invalid bed, mattress supporting spring frame. Whilethe invention is shown as applied to the pivoted head section of asectionalized spring frame, still, it is thought to be obvious that thisinvention may be applied to any of the pivotally mounted sections of asectionalized bed spring frame or any other type of pivotally mountedframework.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a mechanism foractuating a pivoted section of a sectionalized bed spring frame that'issimple and. sturdy in construction, economical to manufacture, easilyattachable to any conventional sectionalized bed spring frame, and onethat may be readily controlled by a bed ridden patient by the simpleoperation of a forward and reverse electric motor control switch.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric motoroperated mechanism for actuating one or more of the pivoted sections ofa sectionalized bed spring frame which mechanism eleminates the need formotor control limit switches, forward and reverse drive clutchmechanisms, elongated screw shafts and mating threaded sleeves,complicated motor control switch boxes, and the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electric motoroperated mechanism for actuating a pivoted section of a sectionalizedbed spring frame that is of the simplest possible construction for thefunctions that it can accomplish, provides the greatest possible rangeof controlled adjustable movement, and is arranged such that it can bereadily operated by any patient who has at least some use of one finger.

it is still another object of this invention to provide an electricmotor operated, patient controlled, bed spring section actuatingmechanism that will permit a bed ridden patient to redajust his positionwithout the help of a nurse or an attendant and thereby relieve the loadon the nursing staff and at the same time make the patient more selfsufficient and more comfortable during his infirmity.

Other objects and advantages-of this invention will become readilyapparent from a reading of the following description and a considerationof the related drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an invalid bed having a sectionalized bedspring frame to which this invention has been applied;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 2of Fig. 1;

Fig 2A is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the linkagestructure for actuating the pivoted head section of the bed spring frameshown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view taken along the line3-3 of Fig. 2A; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the electric motorcontrol switch for the actuating mechanism 2,836,835 Patented June 3,1958 embodying this invention which switch is shown within the circle 4of Fig. 1.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings shows a more or less conventional invalidbed that comprises a headboard 10, a footboard 11 and a base frame Farranged between and connecting the headboard and footboard. Base frameF includes a pair of spaced side rails 12 and 13. The opposite ends 'ofthe side rails 12 and 13 are connected respectively to the headboard 10and footboard 11 by conventional side rail fastener means 14. The baseframe F supports a more or less conventional sectionalized mattresssupporting bed spring frame that comprises a pivotally mounted headsection 21, a stationary butt section 22, a pivotally mounted thighsection 23 and a pivotally mounted, roller supported, foot section 24.Each of these spring frame sections 2124 mounts a portion of a link typespring fabric 25 that is connected to the frame rails of the respectivesections by a plurality of springs 26.

The head section 21 includes a U-shaped frame 31 (see Figs. 1-3) that ispreferably formed of angle iron stock. The free ends of the legs of theU-shaped head section frame 31 are pivotally connected at 32 to the sideplates 35 of the butt section 22. Head section 21 also includes adepending U-shaped frame 33 that is adapted to seat on the side rails12, 13 and support the head section 21 when the head section has beenlowered to a horizontal position.

The butt section 22 includes a pair of inverted L-type side plates 35that are fixedly mounted on the spaced side rails 12 and 13. Inaddition, to pivotally supporting the head section 21 by the pivots 32,the butt section plates 35 also provide bearing supports for the pivots36 that pivotally mount the thigh section 23.

The thigh section 23 includes a pair of spaced angle iron side rails 37,37 that have their inner ends pivotally connected at 36 to the buttsection side plates 35. The extreme outer ends of the thigh sectionrails 37, 37 are pivotally connected at-38, 38 to the inner free endsof. the U-shaped foot section frame 41. A suitable mechanism such as ascrew shaft 42, operable by a crank or the like from the foot of the bedand connected to the thigh section 23 by suitable linkage, is providedfor varying the inclination of the thigh section. Obviously any type ofthigh section actuating mechanism can be provided for raising andlowering the thigh section 23.

The screw shaft 42 shown could be replaced with any known actuatingdevice or with. an actuating device such as that shown associated withthe head. section 21. The thigh section 23 may include support legs. 43that rest on the side rails 12, 13 when the thigh section 23 is in ahorizontal position.

The foot section 24 has its U-shaped frame 41 formed from angle ironstock similar to that used for the other sections of the spring frame.As previously mentioned, the free inner ends of the frame 41 arepivotally connected at 38, 38 to the thigh section rails 37, 37. Theouter ends of the legs of the U-shaped foot section frame 41 mountrollers 44 that are adapted to roll along the side rails 12, 13 as thethigh section 23 is raised and lowered. When the thigh section 23 islowered to its horizontal position then the rollers 44 on the footsection are at the footboard ends of the side rails 12, 13 and the footsection is supported in a horizontal position. Obviously some other typeof foot section elevation control mechanism, other than that shown,could be used provided it permits free pivotal movement of the thighsection 23'.

The prime feature of this invention is associated with the actuatingmechanism for the pivotally mounted head section 21 and that will now bedescribed in detail. EX- tending crosswise between and mounted on thespaced V in' opposite directions.

' *MSZ M apart side rails 12, 13 beneath the thigh section 23. are apair of support bars 47, 47. These support bars mount a conventionalreversible electric motor M that in this instance rotates at aboutl'ISO'Ru P;Mfwhenenei'gized; Also mounted on the pair of spaced supportbars 47,47 is a reduction gearbox G. This ge'ar'boxG has an input shaft48 that is drivingly. connected to the output shaft 49 of the electricmotor M. The gear boxG may be of the planetary'or countershafttype or itmay be some other type of transmission mechanism that is capable ofproviding-a gear reduction of about 1000 to 1 between the gear boxinput'shaft 48 and'the gear box output shaft 50.

Drivingly connected to the gear box output shaft is a crank arm51. Crankarm 51 is adapted to be rotated through a full 360 degree'sin eitherdirection by the electric motor M. The electric inotor M'is adapted tobe controlledb'y the reversing switch 55 that is connected "to the ImotorM by theflexible conductor 52. Flexible' conductor 53 is adapted toconnect the motor M to a conventional plug-in power source connectionsuch as a wall type plugin receptacle. From Fig. 4 it will be notedthatthe conposition R to rotate the electric motor M in thefoppositedirection." While a pivoted lever has been shown as a part of switch55'for-controlling the reversing motor M, it is also possible to use aconventional two button electric switch wherein either one or the otherof the buttons R or F can be depressed to effect rotation of the motor M7 From the foregoing it is thought a to 'be obvious how the bed-riddenpatient can selectively control reversible rotation of the crank arm 51With the simple movement of'the lever of the switch 55.

From Fig. 2A it will be noted that the crank arm 51 of gear box G ispivotally connected to one end of a connect- 12, 13. f Each of the freeendsof the legs .63, 65 of the 7 head section actuating framemountsrollers 67 that are adapted to roll along-the underside ofthe side railsof the U-shaped head section frame31 .during oscillating movement-of thelever legs 63,. 65.. While'only'the lever leg 63 is,directly connectedto the motor driven crank arm 51 by the connecting-rod 61,. still, bothlever legs63, 65

of the actuating frame act onthe head section 21 to effect n movementthereof due to .the fact that the lever legs" 63, 65 andthe axle 64constitute a rigid unitary frame;

With the above-described head section actuating linkage, it is thoughttorbe obvious that as the crank arm.51

rotates in either direction for'l80 degrees of itsrotation it will causea gradual raising of the head section 21"from its lowermost horizontalposition to its maximum elevated position- Thereafter for the next 1 80degrees :ofrotation of the crank arm 51, the head section 21 will begradually lowered from its uppermost position to its lowermosthorizontal position. One'of the prime features of this inven= tion isthe fact that no limit switches or the like are re- 'quired to-shut oiftheelectric motor operated actuating comfort, then the control switch55(Fig. 4) is merely operated to effect a reverse rotation of the crankarm 51 from its previous direction of rotation and the head section canbe retracted to a passed over position; Not only is the described headsection actuating linkage'one that gives maximum flexibility and patientcontrol with a minimum of complexity, but in addition, it provides amaximum of installation tolerance due to the fact that the rollers 67are not positively connected to the head section frame 31. The leverlegs 63, 65- can lower the headsection 21 to its ,lowermost horizontalposition "and then continue to move counterclockwise for several degreesand actually break engagement with the head section frame the headsection frame 31. Due to the roller contact between the lever legrollers 67 and the head section frame 3 1, in combination vwith the headsection support frame 33, no precise adjustment of the crank arm cycleis re-. quired during installation of thi's head section actuating l i55 f the electric motor M has a 'singl firnech'anismon aconventionalrsectionalized bed spring pivotally niountedoperating leverthat can be moved from r l Q the foff position'to either a' forwardposition F, to rotate theelectric motor M in one direction, or to :areversing frame.

It is thought to be apparent that the thigh section 23 could .beoperated by the same type of mechanism as used In-fact, with the useof'a suitable clutch mechanism it ispossible to selectively, operateboth for the head section 21.

between a position substantially parallel to said a base frame to aposition elevated thereabove,an electric motor mounted on said'baseframe, a crank'arm' drivingly connected to said motor and mounted forrotation about an axis extending transversely'of and'substantiallyparallel to said base frame, a lever pivotally connected to said baseframe for oscillatory rotation about an axis extendingtransversely ofsaid base frame, said lever having a free end portion thereofcarrying aroller arranged for rolling engagement with isaid spring frame sectionto. eifect oscillatorymOvement thereof during oscillatory movement ofsaid lever, 'anda link'connected between said crank arm and said leverarranged to transmit con-t "tinuous rotary motion of the crank arm intocyclic oscillatory movement of said lever to cited alternate, poweroperated, raising and lowering movement of the spring frame section. 2.An invalid 'bed comprising sp footboards that ar'e interconnectedby abase frame, said .basei frame having a mattress supporting spring frame,7

' section mounted thereon and pivotally connected thereto foroscillatory movement between a position substantially parallel to saidbase frame'to'a position elevated at an angle' thereto, anelectric'motor'mounted on said base frame;a crank aimjdrivinglyconnected to said motor and mounted for rotation thereby, a leverpivotally connected to said base frarnefor oscillation with 'respecttosaid base frame, said lever having a' free end portion'thereofarrangedfor shiftable engagement with said spring frame means M'Gwhengthe headsection 21 has been raised or section 21 aslong as thelever of themotor control switch 55 is held inje'ither its Ror Fpositions. f If during movement of the head section in either araising'or lowering p d rection, itis moved a'little bit too far for thepatients section during oscillationthe'reof to effect oscillatorymovement of said frame section between raised and lowered limitingpositions, linkage connected'between said crank arm and 'said leverarranged to transmit the rotary I 'motion of thecrank arm intooscillatorymovement of said lever whereby saidlframe section will becontinuously oscillated between limiting positions during cycles ofrotation of said crank and a controlswitch connected to said electricmotor to provide for selective power operated;

rotation of; said crank arm in opposite directions.

p 3. Aninvalid bed comprising a headboard and a foota board that areinterconnected by a basecframethat aced headboards and.

a mattress supporting spring frame mounted thereon and positionedthereabove, said spring frame including a pivotally mounted headsection, a butt section and adjustable thigh and foot sections, saidhead section being connected to said base frame for oscillatory movementbetween a first limiting position substantially parallel to said baseframe to a second limiting position elevated thereabove, an electricmotor driven gear box mounted on said base frame, a crank arm drivinglyconnected to the output shaft of said motor driven gear box and mountedfor rotation about an axis extending transversely of said base frame, alever pivotally connected to said base frame for oscillation about anaxis extending transversely of said base frame, said lever having an endportion thereof arranged for free rolling engagement with said headsection to effect oscillatory movement thereof, and a link connectedbetween said crank arm and said lever arranged to transmit the rotarymotion of the crank arm into power operated oscillatory movement of saidlever whereby said head section will be continuously oscillated betweenlimiting positions during cycles of rotation of said crank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

